Nothing Special   »   [go: up one dir, main page]
Scribd Logo
Upload

Welcome to Scribd!

  • 6 views

    Introduction, Chapter.

    Uploaded by

    vinisha shah
    ..........

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd

    Introduction, Chapter.

    Uploaded by

    vinisha shah
    6 views3 pages
    ..........

    Copyright

    © © All Rights Reserved

    Available Formats

    PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd

    Did you find this document useful?

    Is this content inappropriate?

    ..........

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    6 views3 pages

    Introduction, Chapter.

    Uploaded by

    vinisha shah
    ..........

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    of 3

    Indian Knowledge System

    Lecture notes:
    Topic one: IKS and Indian Value System
    Pinku Jha
    Senior Research Fellow
    Dept of Political Science
    The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda
    What is Indian knowledge system ? Does it exists? Is there an Indian way of thinking (A. K.
    Ramanujan ask this question but answer in a non affirmative way). To answer this question, we
    need to explore a few concepts and tradition that exists in India since a long time.
    1. What is Indian or Bhartiya ?(India is, and has been a multi cultural, multi identity and a
    heterogeneous society. It is not just a geographical entity rather an idea, civilization and
    value centric approach to understand the world.
    2. What is knowledge( to understand the truth, means of ensuring a good life, the principle
    of “ekam sat vipra bahudha vadanti” provides the possibility of understanding numerous
    interpretation of knowledge.
    3. What is system( systemic representation of ideas such as textual or oral tradition)
    Kapil Kapoor talks about it in a refined way, where he provides some methods to understand
    Indian knowledge system.
    1. Constructivist dimension
    2. Inclusive individualism and pluralism
    3. Tolerance for other/ disputes (vaad parampara)
    4. Harmony between man and man, man and nature
    5. Knowledge validation through tradition of disputation
    6. Lok is final authority , so empirical
    Bhartrhari says “ what does he know, who knows only his own tradition? But now days question
    is “ what does he know if he does not know his own tradition?

    How Indian knowledge tradition shall be read with the idea of politics?

    Since the notion of politics deals with the process of interaction among different individuals and
    groups for a particular issue (that may concern the objective of good life), one can highlight the
    conflict and consensus are the major elements of politics. However in the context of India both
    the activities conflict and consensus are considered as a tool of ensuring an inclusive and
    accommodative good life to the people concerned. It is possible to talk about role of governance
    power management techniques and involving different actors that may promote a normative

    Pinku Jha, Senior Research Fellow


    Indian Knowledge System

    approach of politics. So the method or approach of studying Indian value system primarily
    normative, though on several occasions and examples one see both empirical and normative
    approaches are equally relevant.

    Indian political values


    Politics is the practice of distribution of decision making powers within a community. Basic
    philosophy guiding politics are called its values. As politics is concerned with both – the individual
    and the masses, the values have to determined and practiced at both personal and public levels.
    Political values(PV) are the sum total of opinions/attitudes of individuals on specific & important
    issues of the time.
    They are important in deciding the ruling party, in attaining priorities of the majority through
    influencing laws & policies, as a pressure group, in creating social & economic movements & in
    coups & revolutions.
    Personal values:
    1. having an understanding of our own priorities
    2. take interest in active politics that affects us, making our opinion count

    3. understanding that politics is not all about a single individual


    4. upholding personality traits – honesty, truth, respect so that political activity can be built
    around trust and faith

    Public values
    1. appreciate the fact that different people may have different as well as competing priorities.
    Diversity should find its voice in a healthy polity
    2. expression of opinion should be peaceful, inclusive

    3. the practice of politics should not undermine unity and integrity of all
    Some major values could be: Duty based approach ( Dharma), Ahmisa, nishkama karma etc)

    Example:

    *To take one example, Rajeev Bhargava looks to Ashoka to find an Indian tradition of religious
    toleration.
    * Write some other examples _______

    Pinku Jha, Senior Research Fellow


    Indian Knowledge System

    Pinku Jha, Senior Research Fellow

    You might also like